Today’s auto repair shop has their work cut out for them.

More people than ever want to create their own custom garage for all their car enthusiast needs. Others just want to make sure they’re saving money as they make the transition from a new car to a used model. Your repair garage is given the unique task of blending the old and the new, keeping up with today’s evolving car industry while being familiar with tried-and-true methods of upkeep. This means swapping out your compressed air system design, learning about eco-friendly methods of repair and, of course, practicing routine safety measures.

Here are five tips no auto body repair shop should be without in 2018.

Keep An Eye On Leaks

Nothing is more threatening to your compressed air system design than a leak. Not only can these be dangerous, they’re costly. A mere 1/8 inch diameter hole in a 100 psi system can cost you over $1,200 per year in wasted energy. Just like a leaky faucet dripping one or two drops of water per minute, this minor maintenance is worth the extra effort to save you money in the long run. It’s thought as much as 80% to even 90% of the electrical energy used by an air compressor is converted into heat.

Moderate Your Pressure Loss Carefully

Not only should you keep a close eye on any leaks, your system’s pressure loss can slip right under your nose. Pressure loss in a properly designed and maintained system should be less than 10% of the compressor’s discharge pressure. You can find this out on the outlet gauge of the compressor. Any pressure loss greater than 10% should have you evaluating your distribution system and identifying areas causing these unusual pressure drops. A properly designed heat recovery unit can gain back over 50% of its heat, which leads us to…

Save Money By Saving Energy

Today’s conversation always turns to energy conservation, one way or another. The U.S. Department Of Energy is constantly monitoring general energy usage in the country to provide alternative means that are just as eco-friendly as they are effective. Energy audits conducted by the DOE suggest that over 50% of compressed air systems from small to medium sized facilities have the best low-cost energy conservation opportunities. If you have any doubts about your ability to save money and increase your output, you know who to ask.

Check Your Receiver Tank Design

Whether a compressed air system for wood working or compressed air systems for auto body, your receiver tank design will make all the difference. Today over 70% of manufacturers have a compressed air system design in place, so this is one area you can’t afford to overlook. Any compressed air system without an air receiver tank should add one to buffer the short-term demand changes. This will also reduce on and off cycling of the compressor, increasing the lifespan and durability of your system.

Make Sure Your Compressed Air System Design Is Up To Date

Your compressed air system design has a lot to contend with in 2018 and beyond. Not only does it need to be working consistently throughout the year to keep up with personal projects or new customers, it needs to save on energy and contribute to a cleaner world. Your compressed air fittings should be checked routinely to keep frustrating leaks at bay and safety measures should always be paramount even on the most average of days. The auto repair shop can be a dangerous place, after all, and no project is worth severe injury.

Give your shop its best possible chance at success by making sure your compressor piping is always good to go.